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FoundersJanuary 1, 2018
#17 Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
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About This Episode
What I learned from reading The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone. ---- Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here. ---- “I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
Book Mentions
12 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to booksTip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.
Books Mentioned
“I actually did a podcast on Sam Walton's autobiography that talks about Sam's use of his plane.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Sam Walton's business philosophy
For: Entrepreneurs and business leaders
Key quote: “If you haven't listened to it yet, I recommend going back and listening to it.”
The host mentions Sam Walton's autobiography to highlight the foundational principles that influenced Jeff Bezos and Amazon's customer-centric approach. The autobiography serves as a lens through which listeners can understand the entrepreneurial mindset that shaped one of the greatest business successes.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
“This is the book that I want to talk to you about today. It's The Everything Store, Jeff Bezos, and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Jeff Bezos and Amazon's success
For: Entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts
Key quote: “The goal of this book is to tell the story behind one of the greatest entrepreneurial successes.”
The host discusses the unique qualities that set Amazon apart, as highlighted in Brad Stone's book about Jeff Bezos. They emphasize Bezos's customer-centric approach and the innovative spirit that drove Amazon's growth from an idea to a global powerhouse.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
“The podcast discusses the founder of Nike and his obsession with running, suggesting that if more people ran, the world would be a better place.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: entrepreneurial decision-making
For: Aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders
Key quote: “Hopefully, I'm convincing you to read the book or listen to the book or become interested in it.”
The host discusses Jeff Bezos's decision-making process and how it relates to the concepts presented in 'Shoe Dog.' This book is highlighted as a source of inspiration for understanding the mindset required for entrepreneurial success.
ASIN: B01CRJA470
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Sam Walton: Made In America
Sam Walton
“Bezos had invited Walton's book thoroughly and wove the Walmart's founder's credo about frugality and a bias for action into the cultural fabric of Amazon.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: business leadership principles
For: Entrepreneurs and business leaders
Key quote: “Bezos had invited Walton's book thoroughly and wove the Walmart's founder's credo about frugality and a bias for action into the cultural fabric of Amazon.”
The host discusses how Jeff Bezos integrated principles from Sam Walton's book into Amazon's culture, particularly focusing on frugality and a bias for action. This connection highlights the influence of Walton's ideas on modern business practices and leadership.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
“Before he joined the company, he had read the book Odyssey, Pepsi to Apple by John Sculley, who had joined Apple as CEO in the mid-1980s, and then ousted Steve Jobs in a boardroom coup.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Leadership and Founders
For: Business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs
Key quote: “Before I went out there, I promised myself and my family that I would never do to Jeff what Sculley did to Steve Jobs.”
The host mentions 'Odyssey' to highlight the cautionary tale of leadership transitions, particularly the ousting of Steve Jobs by John Sculley. This reference serves to emphasize the loyalty and unique perspective that a founder like Jeff Bezos brings to his company, contrasting it with the motivations of professional CEOs.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Pepsi to Apple
John Sculley
“Before he joined the company, he had read the book Odyssey, Pepsi to Apple by John Sculley, who had joined Apple as CEO in the mid-1980s, and then ousted Steve Jobs in a boardroom coup.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: leadership transitions at Amazon
For: Business leaders and aspiring CEOs
Key quote: “Before I went out there, I promised myself and my family that I would never do to Jeff what Sculley did to Steve Jobs.”
The host mentions 'Pepsi to Apple' to illustrate the importance of founder loyalty in leadership transitions. Galley, reflecting on his role at Amazon, vowed not to repeat Sculley's actions with Jobs, emphasizing the unique vision of founders like Bezos.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Good to Great
Jim Collins
“At a two-day management and board off-site later that year, Amazon invited business thinker Jim Collins to present the findings from his soon-to-be-published book, Good to Great.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Amazon's pricing strategy
For: Business leaders and entrepreneurs
Key quote: “You've got to decide what you're great at, he told Amazon executives.”
The host discusses how Jeff Bezos applied lessons from Jim Collins' book 'Good to Great' to transform Amazon's pricing strategy. By implementing the concept of a flywheel, Bezos aimed to create a self-reinforcing cycle that would enhance customer engagement and drive sales.
ASIN: B003VXI5MS
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Mythical Man Month
Frederick Brooks
“In the seminal high tech book, The Mythical Man Month, IBM veteran and computer science professor Frederick Brooks argued that adding manpower to complex software projects actually delayed progress.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: communication in organizations
For: Managers and leaders in tech companies
Key quote: “In the seminal high tech book, The Mythical Man Month, IBM veteran and computer science professor Frederick Brooks argued that adding manpower to complex software projects actually delayed progress.”
The host discusses how Jeff Bezos's approach to communication in Amazon was influenced by concepts from 'The Mythical Man Month.' The book highlights that adding more people to complex projects can hinder progress due to increased communication needs, which Bezos applied to foster decentralization and efficiency at Amazon.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson
“She was reading the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson, and was thinking about how Bezos' leadership style compared to the late Apple co-founders' famously brusque and direct demeanor.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: leadership challenges at Amazon
For: Entrepreneurs and business leaders
Key quote: “He is out of his mind, so brilliant about what he does.”
The host mentions Walter Isaacson's book 'Steve Jobs' to highlight the contrasting leadership styles between visionary founders and professional CEOs. The book provides insights into the struggles and dynamics of leadership, particularly in high-pressure environments like Amazon during its formative years.
ASIN: B07ZMKXMTG
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Benjamin Franklin
Walter Isaacson
“All of Isaacson's, I enjoy all of Isaacson's books, actually. Benjamin Franklin book's fantastic.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: leadership style comparison
For: Readers interested in leadership and innovation
Key quote: “All of Isaacson's, I enjoy all of Isaacson's books, actually. Benjamin Franklin book's fantastic.”
The host mentions Walter Isaacson's book 'Benjamin Franklin' to highlight the author's ability to capture the essence of influential figures. This serves to draw a parallel between the leadership styles of Jeff Bezos and Benjamin Franklin, emphasizing the importance of vision and innovation.
ASIN: B004VLETYM
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Leonardo da Vinci
Walter Isaacson
“I just did one on his newly-adorned Da Vinci book, but he does a really great job.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Jeff Bezos leadership style
For: Readers interested in leadership and innovation
Key quote: “I just did one on his newly-adorned Da Vinci book, but he does a really great job.”
The host mentions Walter Isaacson's book 'Leonardo da Vinci' to highlight the author's ability to capture the essence of influential figures. This reference serves to draw parallels between the innovative leadership styles of historical figures and contemporary leaders like Jeff Bezos.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
“As I read the Jobs book, I really had to wonder if that sometimes harsh intensity isn't an essential element when so much of what you want to do requires boldness, immediacy, ruthlessness, purpose prioritization, and risk.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Amazon leadership challenges
For: Entrepreneurs and business leaders
Key quote: “The great thing about this book is it details not only what Amazon became, but there's a lot of struggles to get there and a lot of crazy things that had to go right for them.”
The host mentions the book 'Jobs' to illustrate the complexities of leadership transitions in tech companies, particularly focusing on Jeff Bezos and the scrutiny he faced from Amazon's board. The book provides insights into the struggles and pivotal moments that shaped Amazon's journey, highlighting the contrast between visionary founders and professional CEOs.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.